A survey on factors affecting avifaunal distribution and abundance at Kolah Ghazi national park and mouteh wildife refuge, esfahan province
Subject Areas : environmental management
Keywords: Topography, Kolah Ghazi National Park, Mouteh Wildife Refuge, bird distribution and abundanc, Vegetation, climate,
Abstract :
To identify the distribution pattern and abundance of avifauna at Kolah Ghazi National Park and Mouteh Wildlife Refuge, some environmental factors (related to climate, vegetation, and geomorphology) was investigated. The two study areas were sampled according to a 1´1 km grid design. A subset of 405 squares was randomly chosen and sampled. Datas were analyzed by using ordination and multiple regression. The results show that we can distinguish three main poles at avifaunal distribution pattern in these areas. Bird species inhabitant of flat sedimentary areas (e.g.Houbara Bustard and Desert Wheatear), well-adjusted bird species to human and their farms and gardens (for example crows, Roller and wagtails), and species dwelling in mountainous and/or rocky areas (Humes Wheatear, Blue Blue Rock Thrush and Chough). Topograplic features seem to be the main factors structuring avifaunal composition and abundance at the two areas. Avifauna composition and richness are mainly correlated with the complexity of the substrate, but avifauna richness increases with altitude, probably in response to decreasing aridity. These results contrast with these generally observed in mid-latitude regions of the Palaeartic.